LINC was incorporated on June 13, 2000 as Lighthouse Communities, Inc. after a community-based collaborative planning process that included local community development corporations, neighborhood associations, builders, foundations, representatives from the
City of Grand Rapids' community development office, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (
MSHDA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (
HUD), and, residents of core city neighborhoods.
LINC engages in effective community revitalization through partnerships and collaborations with numerous community-based organizations and other neighborhood stakeholders.
LINC is founded on the premise of linking community organization efforts with real estate development. We use both cutting edge community development techniques and the latest tools for real estate development in helping neighbors, business owners, and community stakeholders realize their visions for the community.
To date, LINC has grown from an affordable housing organization renovating 12 rental units in 2002 to a community revitalization agency with annual investments and expenses of over $10 million, collaboration and partnerships with over a dozen community groups, financial institutions and government agencies. Linc has helped invest over $42 million in our communities in several housing and commercial projects. With a staff of 31, LINC serves a specific targeted area in the southeast side of Grand Rapids known as Southtown with a population of close to 20,000 people, administers a citywide Lead Remediation program, and anticipates working with the city, county and state in the implementation of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to help sustain our neighborhoods.